Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“Mel, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Reid said rather quickly.

She paused at the shortening of her name. No one had called her that since her father passed, but she actually sort of liked the way it sounded when she heard it in his voice. Ignoring it for now, she said, “You didn’t ask. I volunteered. It’s really no trouble at all. I definitely won’t let him come home with me because then he might feel like he got his way, but picking him up and taking him to the sitter’s can’t be too time consuming, and it will give me a chance to see him for a few minutes.”

“It’s actually more time consuming than you might think,” he explained. “School gets out at 3:00, but parents start getting in that parent pick up line at 2:00. I’m not even kidding.”

“Seriously?” Melody asked, shocked.

“Yes! Now, I never get there that early, because that is just utterly ridiculous. But I try to head over there around 2:30 and usually get in line by 2:40. By then, I’m about forty cars in. So I don’t actually get him until about 3:10, and then by the time I get him to Karen’s, I’ve spent a good hour just picking him up from school.”

“Wow—that’s quite an investment. What do you do when you’re sitting in the car?” Melody asked. “Would I be able to get any work done, you think?”

“Sure. I mean—you could definitely get your social media posts up, I think. Maybe work on your website. I usually stare out the window and think about the work I need to get completed. But seriously, Melody, you don’t have to do that. I can manage for a few more days. I’ve already rearranged my schedule for the rest of this week, and I can manage for the next five days after that.”

She could tell by his tone that he was saying what he was supposed to, but that he really did want her help. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.” Assuming it was a done deal at this point, she asked, “What will I need in order to pick him up?”

He hesitated, as if he wasn’t quite sure he’d agreed, but then he said, “Well, I’ll have to call the school and put you on their approved pick up list for Michael. I’ll need your driver’s license number for that, but they probably won’t ever check your license so long as you have the magical green car rider sign that goes in your dashboard.”

“What’s that?” Melody asked, holding back a chuckle at his description.

“It’s just a green sign they hand out at the beginning of the year that has his name and class on it. I have two, so I can give that to you on Saturday. I also have an extra booster seat, which he will need. You drive an Acadia?”

“Yes,” she said, wondering why he’d noticed her car.

“It’ll fit in there just fine. Melody, are you sure you want to do this? I really hate to push my problems off on an unassuming, innocent soul such as yourself.”

She giggled at his choice of words. “I’m sure. It’ll be good practice for me, in case I ever have my own kids one day.”

“Well, you are definitely going to make one outstanding mother.”

Melody felt the color creep into her face and was happy he couldn’t actually see her. “Thank you, Reid. That’s really nice of you to say.”

“I mean it. I’ve seen you around Michael enough to know it comes naturally to you,” he continued, his voice sounding sincere.

She’d always wondered if she could live up to the example her own parents had set, and the compliment meant quite a lot to her. After a moment of consideration, she said, “Thank you. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to be a single parent, but you manage to make it look easy.”

He laughed, and Melody wondered if she had said something insulting, even though she did enjoy the sound of his laughter in her ear. “Most days, I’m lucky if he leaves the house with two socks on his feet and doesn’t smell like fried bologna sandwiches. But thank you. It’s nice to know I’ve fooled a few people.”

“Hey, don’t sell yourself short,” she insisted. “That little boy is cute and smart—but he’s a handful. It’s hard to answer all of the questions he asks in just an hour or so. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be with him all the time!”

Reid laughed again. “It’s tiring. But it’s definitely worth it. I can’t fathom what my life would be like without him.”

Melody could understand that. She was having a hard time remembering what her life was like before she met Michael, and that was only a week ago. Of course, part of that might have a little something to do with his dad…. “Well, I’m more than happy to help. I have no idea what things were like back in Montana, but in West Virginia, we help each other out. And I’ve taken a bit of a liking to that little boy of yours.”

“I think he might like you a little bit, too,” Reid replied, a hint of teasing in his voice. And then he added, “And so do I.”

Unsure what she should think of that, Melody was quiet for a second, guessing her eyes had probably doubled their regular size. Surely, he didn’t mean anything other than liking her as a friend….

“I guess we’ll see you Saturday morning,” he continued before she had a chance to say anything at all.

Throwing in that she liked him, too, now would seem forced and awkward, wouldn’t it? Even though she desperately wanted to let him know his feelings were not unreciprocated—regardless of the degree he was implying—she decided against it and said, “Okay! I’ll see you Saturday.”

“I’m sure Michael will find you, even if you try to hide.”

She laughed. “True! He does have a way of seeking me out.”

“Have a nice evening, Melody.”

She loved the sound of his voice, just a little husky, but true and strong, and she didn’t want to let go just yet, but she realized she had to. “You, too,” she said quietly. “Bye.”

“Bye.”

With a deep breath, she disconnected the call and cradled her phone against her chest. What she had intended to be a short call only transferring information had turned into something else, but exactly what, she wasn’t sure. Was it possible that he might be developing feelings for her as well? Or was she reading too much into a simple nickname and the thankfulness of a single father who was glad to have some help?

Looking around her room, Melody realized she hadn’t really had a long term relationship since the last time this had been her bedroom. She’d had a steady boyfriend in high school, but he’d gone to California for college, and they’d broken up shortly after that. She dated a bit in college, but nothing lasted, and then, after graduation, she’d immersed herself in her career. Once her father died, the idea of trying to find a suitable companion for herself had been forced to the back of her mind. Now, two years later, though she was very busy trying to piece things back together at home, was she finally ready to start dating again? And if so, could Reid be the guy who took her mind off of everything she’d been through?

She realized things couldn’t have been easy for him in this department either. She still had no idea what had happened to Michael’s mother, but whether she had left or passed away, it had to have made a lasting impact on Reid. Even if he did have feelings for Melody, there was a good chance he might not be ready to date again either, so there was a possibility she might be setting herself up for heartache.

Setting her phone on the nightstand, she realized it really didn’t matter at this point whether she thought she was ready or not. It didn’t even matter whether or not Reid was ready or if he was interested in her. She was falling hard for this guy, and all she could hope for was some strong arms to catch her on the way down.